5/22/2018 1:51 PM PDT

The doctor who prescribed drugs to 3 Doors Down guitarist Matt Roberts -- before his apparent overdose -- is not guilty in his death.

The jury returned the verdict on Dr. Richard Snellgrove, who'd been indicted back in 2016. Prosecutors claimed he improperly prescribed controlled substances to Matt leading up to his death in August 2016.

Snellgrove's attorney presented text messages that showed Matt had been dabbling in street drugs in addition to his Rx meds, and argued his death couldn't be pinned strictly to Snellgrove. Prosecutors claimed Snellgrove had been prescribing meds under multiple aliases ... even though he knew they were for Roberts.

The jury bought the defense's version ... Snellgrove's off the hook, criminally. He is still fighting the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Matt's estate.

5/21/2018 11:51 AM PDT

Prince might've had a biological daughter who was never looped in on what would happen with the late singer's estate ... so claims a woman in new legal docs.

The woman in question, Snowe Melinda Saxman, filed paperwork in a Minnesota court -- obtained by TMZ -- in which she says she believes she's Prince's birth daughter ... but her evidence is pretty thin.

Saxman says she was adopted, and never knew her real parents -- but, based on her "substantial physical, temperamental and aspirational similarities to Prince" ... she has reason to believe she's his actual kid. She also claims she looks like Prince, and has musical prowess like her father. As she puts it ... she's "very artsy" and a "natural-born star."

There's more ... Saxman goes on to say she recently did a background check of herself through a company called Family Tree DNA, which she claims shows she's matched up genetics-wise with numerous people in Prince's family tree, including John Lewis Nelson,Mattie Della Baker, and others. She says she didn't match with Prince directly 'cause his DNA's not in the system.

She says she was never notified about any proceedings in Prince's probate case, which some of his heirs claim is burning cash like crazy managing the singer's posthumous affairs. Sounds like she wants to get in on the Estate ... and stake a claim to what's left behind.

5/17/2018 9:27 AM PDT

Blac Chyna's house manager died Thursday morning after her family made the decision to take her off life support ... TMZ has learned.

We broke the story ... Patty, who also helped run Chyna's clothing line, suffered a stroke in July 2017 but continued to work afterward. She fell into a coma in December due to bleeding on her brain.

Sources close to her family tell us Patty recently suffered a third brain bleed and was declared brain-dead ... so the difficult decision was made to take her off life support. Patty's husband says her organs will be donated.

As we reported ... both Rob Kardashian and Tyga donated a lot of money to Patty's GoFundMe page to help cover her medical expenses while she was in a coma.

5/14/2018 9:24 AM PDT

Margot Kidder, the actress who played Lois Lane in "Superman," died Sunday in Montana ... TMZ has learned.

Margot was at her home when she passed away, according to the spokesperson at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home in Livingston, MT. The cause of death is unknown at this point.

Bruce Becker, the Park County Attorney, tells TMZ ... an unknown person called police to report Margot was unconscious and not breathing. Police responded and found her dead. The Livingston Police Chief says foul play is not considered a factor, but her death is now under investigation.

Margot starred opposite Christopher Reeve in 1978's "Superman," and also in the 3 sequels. She continued acting right up until this year, taking small roles in TV shows and movies -- but also had stage roles ... including "The Vagina Monologues" on Broadway. She reportedly had 2 more roles yet to be released.

Margot had a very public battle with bipolar disorder for years. During her struggle she was briefly homeless in 1996. Margot became an advocate for mental health after that incident.

She'd been married 3 times, although she'd been single since the '80s.

He says the POTUS 41 is "solid" -- noting he was hospitalized 5 years ago, and came back from that just fine. Billy also makes a prediction about H.W.'s short-term and long-term life goals -- namely, a potential plan to be the (literal) face of Smucker's. Give it 7 years.

Speaking of his late aunt ... Billy's got a hilarious story about Barbara, too. Just listen.

4/26/2018 12:46 PM PDT

EXCLUSIVE

The daughter of Gary Canter, the late co-owner of L.A.'s famed Canter's Deli, is accusing his widow of sinister behavior ... and, as a result, she wants control of her father's estate.

Jennifer Canter says in new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, her dad's wife, Traci, waited hours before calling 911 when she found Gary dead in December 2017 ... insinuating foul play was involved. Gary reportedly died of a massive heart attack.

Jennifer claims Traci sent a photo of Gary's body to TMZ in order to get it published. We have not found any record of any such photo being sent to us ... plus we never posted anything about Gary's death.

In the docs, Jennifer says Traci's been selling off her dad's valuables and refuses to let her look through his belongings. Even weirder, Jennifer claims Traci had Gary kidnapped in 2014 in an elaborate move to find out where he'd stashed cash in their house.

She also says she doubts her father and Traci were legally married.

Jennifer's asking a judge to allow her to take over her father's estate -- which she claims is valued at around $500k -- to keep Traci from harming the family even more.

4/26/2018 8:44 AM PDT

The "Cops" crew member who was shot and killed during a shootout got caught between officers and the robber who was trying to escape ... is now seen on video for the first time.

A judge just released the "Cops" camera crew footage of the 2014 incident, which left audio operator Bryce Dion dead. He was shot by a cop who was firing while chasing a suspect who'd just robbed a Wendy's in Omaha.

When the shootout ends you see the cameraman running out to the parking lot, trying to capture footage as the officers captured the suspect -- but first, he sees Bryce on the floor. He was still moving, but he eventually died from his wounds.

As we reported, Bryce's family sued the city of Omaha for wrongful death. The 3 officers involved in the shooting were cleared of criminal wrongdoing.

4/23/2018 5:03 PM PDT

Prince's family is taking action after it was announced no one would be criminally charged in the singer's death by suing the hospital that treated his overdose a week before he died.

Prince's family -- repped in the lawsuit by trustee Michael A. Zimmer -- just filed to sue Trinity Medical Center out of Illinois for allegedly failing to properly diagnose and treat Prince's opioid addiction before he suffered another, and ultimately fatal, overdose a week later.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, the family claims that Trinity's action -- or lack thereof -- was a direct and proximate cause of Prince's death. They're also suing one of Trinity's doctors, Dr. Nicole Mancha, as well as an unidentified pharmacist and Walgreens employee whom they claim were involved in providing care to him in his final days. They're suing Walgreens, too, btw.

In regards to Walgreens, Prince's family claims the drug store chain was dispensing narcotic prescription medications to Prince for an invalid medical purpose and failed to make sure he was using the drug properly.

Not named in the lawsuit ... Dr. Michael Schulenberg, who investigators say prescribed Prince Percocet through his bodyguard, Kirk Johnson, serving as a proxy. Schulenberg settled with the feds over that violation for a $30,000 fine. Video of Prince at Dr. Schulenberg's office was released last week, as was an entire trove of evidence acquired in his death investigation.

4/23/2018 1:14 PM PDT

EXCLUSIVE

Verne Troyer had 3 times the legal limit of alcohol in his system when he was rushed to the hospital and sources tell us he never recovered from it.

Sources familiar with the death investigation tell TMZ, Verne told the 911 dispatcher and someone at the hospital he was suicidal when he called in distress ... with triple the .08 legal limit for driving.

Our sources say when Verne was at the hospital he became unresponsive and was transferred to another hospital which was better suited to care for him. We're told his organs started failing, he was put on life support and went steadily downhill until life support was pulled Saturday.

We broke the story ... Verne passed away Saturday. Sources say an autopsy has been completed, but toxicology results are pending. Verne fought a losing battle against alcoholism for years.

4/20/2018 1:35 PM PDT

Avicii engaged dozens of his fans at a luxury resort during his final days, and it appeared he was still loving his rock star life.

These pics were taken within the last 6 days at the same resort in Muscat, Oman ... where Avicii was apparently on vacation. He posed for multiple pics -- perhaps the last taken before his death -- with fans around the secluded grounds of the resort.

As we reported ... the 28-year-old superstar DJ was found dead Friday morning in Muscat. Neither law enforcement nor his reps have said anything about how he died yet.

Avicii had quit touring in 2016, saying he longed for "the life of a real person behind the artist." While he might have been shying away from the spotlight ... it's clear from these photos he wasn't shying away from his adoring fans.

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4/20/2018 2:21 PM PDT

Exclusive Details

Fentanyl wasn't the only drug found in Prince's stash of counterfeit Vicodin pills -- in fact, they were laced with so many drugs ... there's no way he could have known exactly what he was taking when he popped one.

According to law enforcement, hundreds of the fake pills stamped "Watson 853" -- a brand of Vicodin -- were found around Paisley Park in several different non-prescription bottles. The pills were in over-the-counter bottles, such as Bayer, Aleve, and Target brand Vitamin C instead.

All of the pills were tested, and the results were a total mixed bag. Within in one bottle, some pills tested positive for lidocaine, some for fentanyl, some for lidocaine and fentanyl. Still others contained a combination of hydrocodone (generic Vicodin) and synthetic lidocaine.

Point is, almost none was actually Vicodin, and they appeared to contain almost a random cocktail of drugs -- even though they all looked exactly the same on the outside.

Carver County Prosecutor Mark Metz said Thursday it was likely Prince had no idea he was taking the fatal dose of fentanyl. Based on the lab results ... it seems impossible anyone taking those pills could know.

4/20/2018 11:15 AM PDT

Breaking News

Avicii's death is absolutely shocking to his friends and fans around the world.

Moments after the news broke he was found dead in Oman ... social media was flooded with reactions to the Swedish DJ's passing. From his peers in the world of EDM to the scores of musicians who had worked with him ... everyone is pouring out their emotions and feelings about Avicii.

I have no words. I remember how amazing it was to make Lonely Together and it felt like just yesterday we were talking. Condolences to Avicii's family, friends, and the fans who supported him. May he rest in peace. Gone too soon. I’m devastated. Heartbroken.

Wow, I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to the man who really opened my eyes as to what my productions could one day sound like. @Avicii was a genius and a music innovator, and I can not believe he is no longer with us. RIP to the very best.

I cannot express enough that @Avicii revolutionized dance music, and effortlessly. An unparalleled writer and one of my biggest inspirations will be remembered and missed for centuries to come. We love you Tim.

I would have enjoyed nothing more than ripping into Avicii well into and beyond our 60's. taken away from us far too young. I know he's at peace somewhere up there getting the last laugh that i spelled his name right this time. https://t.co/uAmdPsouSz

my sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to the friends, fans and families of @Avicii :( Banter aside, nobody can deny what he has accomplished and done for modern dance music and im very proud of him.

devastated at the news of @Avicii passing. working with him was one of my favorite collaborative moments. far too young. the world was a happier and fuller place with his presence and art. sending all my love to his friends and family. Xxdr

4/19/2018 9:38 AM PDT

EXCLUSIVE

"Night Court" star Harry Anderson was dead well before paramedics arrived, according to his wife who called 911.

TMZ obtained the transcript from the 911 call Elizabeth Morgan placed earlier this week to authorities in North Carolina after Harry apparently went into cardiac arrest in his sleep. She tells the operator ... "His hand -- he's cold. He's not ice cold, but he's definitely cold. His eyes are partially open, uh, but he's not looking at anything, he's not responding."

In the call, Elizabeth declines help for performing CPR, saying she believes it's too late.

She also mentions Harry suffered a series of strokes at the end of January after battling the flu.

As we reported ... Anderson was found dead Monday when paramedics arrived, according to dispatch audio. Authorities said no foul play is suspected. His son, Dashiell, told us his father died from natural causes.